Finger's healing, thanks to those who e-mailed wondering. Please visit Mikey Likes It! for Mike's commentaries which are always worth reading. I'm off tomorrow and may not blog on Friday. Check with C.I.'s entries Friday because I think C.I.'s going to note who is blogging and who isn't Friday. (We are all headed for NYC, for the protest, and that's one reason I was really hoping Rebecca could get tickets to The Threepenny Opera for this weekend -- one trip instead of two.
"New White House Spokesperson Criticized Bush" (Democracy Now!):
In news from Washington, Republican officials have confirmed Fox News anchor Tony Snow has agreed to become the new White House Press Secretary. Snow will replace Scott McLellan, who resigned last week. President Bush is expected to make the announcement today. Although Snow will be tasked with defending the President, one of his first duties may be to answer for previous criticisms he's made of his new boss. In an op-ed piece published in November, Snow said President Bush had "lost" his swagger and was "cowering under the bed" in the face of Democratic opposition. Snow went on to say: "The newly passive George Bush has become something of an embarrassment."
So he's giving up his radio talk show and pundit gig (I don't think he's still a Fox "News" "anchor") for his love of Bully Boy? They had to do something with Bully Boy continued low polling numbers. Scott McClellan is damaged, even for this administration. He's the one who said that Karl Rove wasn't involved in Plamegate. Which makes him like the Gerald Ford's first p.r. secretary (forget his name) who resigned after Ford pardoned Nixon.
The official word was that Ford wouldn't pardon him. The press secretary repeated that. Within a month, Ford had pardoned Nixon. The press secretary was bothered by this. Especially since Ford refused to pardon those who resisted the draft (Jimmy Carter would do that). So the press secretary resigned. He was right to do so. Draft resisters didn't bomb Cambodia. Draft resisters weren't breaking into the Watergate. Draft resisters didn't authorize illegal wire taps on citizens. Draft resisters didn't plot to kill Jack Anderson. Draft resisters didn't compose an enemies list that was then utilized by various branches of government to target private citizens. Nixon shouldn't have been pardoned. He should have been tried. The same thing with Bully Boy. You have to send a message that these actions are not okay.
I am disgusted to this day that Ford pardoned him (and that Dan Rather went on CBS to talk about how great this action was for the nation). I am disgusted that Bill and Hillary Clinton were part of the effort to redeam Nixon in his final days and that Bill Clinton gave that testimonial to Nixon.
Nixon was a crook. He was a crook of the highest order and he wasn't punished. Leaving office in shame was something, but not nearly enough. Obviously, it wasn't enough. If more had been done, someone -- maybe not Bully Boy, but someone in the administration -- would have thought twice. There's little indication that any thought was ever put into the administration's various schemes -- certainly no second thoughts.
So now the hope is that Snow will snap everyone in the press into order. I think they're putting more faith in Snow's reputation than his reputation deserves. This isn't a respected reporter. This isn't anything but a partisan hack. Though I'm sure "Stretch" will rush to apologize for every question in that cowardly manner he's fond of.
If you need a laugh right about here, you can visit Wally's "THIS JUST IN! BULLY BOY TAPS IT!" and I'm swiping from Wally to note posts at community sites:
"NYT: Do we get excited as the whitewash continues?"
"flashpoints (rita moreno) cover to cover with denny smithson (jane fonda)"
"Condi hides in Greece, NY Teens sue Rumsfeld, Wakeup Call, Jane Fonda"
"Cell Phone Use Tips"
"Thomas Friedman is the Meanest Generation"
"Guns & Butter airs tomorrow; The Free Design, Ani DiFranco, Pink, Josh Ritter"
"Carriles To Apply For US Citizenship" (Democracy Now!):
Lawyers for detained Cuban exile Luis Posada Carriles have announced he has applied for US citizenship. Carilles is wanted in Cuba and Venezuela for his role in a 1976 bombing that killed 73 people aboard a Cuban airliner. He was arrested in Miami last May after entering the US two months earlier.
Instead of being deported, Carilles and his partner/plotter in terrorism Orlando Bosch are on our shores, walking freely. There's a great article on this that I'll excerpt below but you really should read the full thing.
"Bush's Hypocrisy: Cuban Terrorists" (Robert Parry, Consortium News):
Not only did the first Bush administration free Bosch from jail a decade and a half ago, the second Bush administration has now pushed Venezuela's extradition request for his alleged co-conspirator, Posada, onto the back burner.
The downed Cubana Airlines flight originated in Caracas where Venezuelan authorities allege the terrorist plot was hatched. However, U.S. officials have resisted returning Posada to Venezuela because its current government of President Hugo Chavez is seen as friendly to Castro’s communist government in Cuba.
At a U.S. immigration hearing in 2005, Posada's defense attorney put on a Posada friend as a witness who alleged that Venezuela's government practices torture. Bush administration lawyers didn’t challenge the claim, leading the immigration judge to bar Posada’s deportation to Venezuela.
Theoretically, the Bush administration could still extradite Posada to Venezuela to face the 73 murder counts, but it is essentially ignoring Venezuela's extradition request, instead holding Posada on minor immigration charges of entering the United States illegally.
In September 2005, Venezuela's Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez called the 77-year-old Posada "the Osama Bin Laden of Latin America" and accused the Bush administration of applying "a cynical double standard" in its War on Terror.
"The United States presents itself as a leader against terrorism, invades countries, restricts the civil rights of Americans in order to fight terrorism, but when it is about its own terrorists, it denies that they be tried," Alvarez said.
Alvarez also denied that Venezuela practices torture. "There isn't a shred of evidence that Posada would be tortured in Venezuela," Alvarez said, adding that the claim is particularly ironic given widespread press accounts that the Bush administration has abused prisoners at the U.S. military base in Guatanamo Bay, Cuba.
It's easy to forget that this was terrorism since our mainstream press, that can't stop chasing down video releases, somehow manages to miss out on what is going on in this country. They want to get all excited and bothered over a video release that may or may not be authentic. But two terrorists, with blood on their hands, roam the nation free. A supposed watch dog press might want to follow up on that but, with few exceptions, they really haven't. Cedric's said that Robert Parry's work online is the equivalent to Seymour Hersh and I think that's an accurate call.
"Democracy Now: Kevin Anderson, Mark Feldstein, Daniel Ellsberg; Michael Ratner ..." (The Common Ills):
Iraq snapshot.
Chaos and violence continue.
The Associated Press notes that "[m]ore than 100 Iraqi civilians or police have been killed . . . since [Jawad] al-Maliki was tapped as Iraq's prime minister designate on Saturday . . ." Not a pretty picture. Thank goodness the word's premier video popped up to distract everyone with instead. (Has so much time been consumed covering a video since Madonna's "Like a Prayer"?) South of Baghdad (to use the 'location' favored by the BBC here and CNN here -- Reuters identifies it as Yusufiya), a US air strike (and "ground forces") have attacked a house in Baghdad an twelve people are dead including one woman. The media's running with the US military's statements (presented not as quotes) that it was a "safe house." The facts are, as known now, a US air strike and "ground forces" has resulted in 12 deaths "south of Baghdad." In Baghdad? China's People's Daily reports that a minibus contained a bomb which killed at least three Iraqis and wounded at least four while a roadside bomb "hit a passing police patrol" and killed at least one person and wounded at least two others. The AP notes that four corpses were found in Baghdad. Reuters notes that the four bodies had "signs of torture and . . . gun shot wounds to their head".
Corpses continue to surface all over Iraq. As noted last week by Knight Ridder, the US administration didn't take the militia issue seriously. That may be the nicest explanation. Jawad al-Maliki is calling for the militias to disarm according to Reuters.
Knight Ridder's Lelia Fadel reports that sectarian lines are forming in Iraq's university system as well. KUNA reports that a "decomposed dead body in a bag" was discovered in Kirkuk. Reuters notes six corpses found "signs of torture and gunshot wounds" in Kerbala. In Kirkuk, "a wealthy trader" was kidnapped while, in Mahmodiya, "a bomb blast" has wounded three police officers.
Reality in Iraq. But will you read it on the front page? You didn't read yesterday's snapshot news on the front page today. You had "Oh Condi and Donnie went to Iraq!" That didn't prevent any dying today. But someone thought it was "amazing."
"March for Peace, Justice & Democracy, April 29, 2006, NYC" (United for Peace & Justice):
End the war in Iraq
Bring all our troops home now!
No war on Iran!
Stand up for immigrant and women's rights!
Unite for change -- let's turn our country around!The times are urgent and we must act.
Assemble: 22nd Street and Broadway, 10:30AM onward (contingent assembly areas)March: At noon down Broadway to Foley SquareGrassroots action festival: 1:00-6:00PM, Foley Square
Maps and details
Find an April 29 solidarity event in a city near you.
Too much is too wrong in this country. We have a foreign policy that is foreign to our core values, and domestic policies wreaking havoc at home. It's time for a change.
INITIATING ORGANIZATIONS: United for Peace and Justice, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, National Organization for Women, Friends of the Earth, U.S. Labor Against the War, Climate Crisis Coalition, People's Hurricane Relief Fund, National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, Veterans for Peace
GET INVOLVED! Make a donation, volunteer, endorse the march and sign up for email updates.
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Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
"It's never up to an administration... It all depends upon what people force them to do."
Please visit Mikey Likes It! for Mike's commentaries which will be more in depth than anything I'll offer. (My finger's healing but it's still a pain to type around.)
"Thousands Protest Condoleezza Rice in Greece" (Democracy Now!):
In Greece, thousands of demonstrators tried to march earlier today to the U.S. embassy in Athens to protest a visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Police dressed in riot gear fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators. On Monday, protesters managed to hoist a giant poster reading "Condoleezza Rice Go Home" from the central Athens Music Hall, next to the U.S. embassy. Two years ago Rice's predecessor Colin Powell had to cancel a visit to Athens in order to avoid mass protests.
Your actions will follow you around. Actions have consquences. It always amazes me that certain on the right scream (falsely) over and over that 'the liberals live in a consequences-free world.' That's false. But has this adminstration ever demonstrated that they grasp that actions have consequences?
The tone comes from above and all the fretting over oral sex (Cokie Roberts bemoaning what will we tell the children) was nonsense. You tell them about the facts of life or you tell them, "That's not an appropriate topic" (depending upon how you're raising them). But these actions do have consequences. Children grasp lying. That's very basic to growing up. So the Cokies would do well to (stealing from C.I.) clutch the pearls and cry, "How do we tell our children!"
The thing is, no one will have to. Everyone can grasp what a lie is.
"Report Criticizes U.S.-led Reconstruction of Iraq" (Democracy Now!):
A new report has determined the U.S.-led reconstruction of Iraq has largely been a failure. Nearly $60 billion has been spent but Iraq is still producing less oil, has less electricity and less water than before invasion. The authors of the report, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the slow pace is largely due to bad planning and poor execution on the part of the Bush administration.
Money to blow on a pipeline (that's now apparently a pipe dream) but nothing could be done to improve the water. Potable water is still not an issue for the administration (US). Electricity comes and goes. It's not up to pre-invasion level. Three years later, we've accomplished none of the "goals." But some souls say, "We have to continue the occupation! Think of the Iraqis!" Who's thinking of the Iraqis? It's time for them to have self-rule. The war's illegal, the occupation is illegal. Nothing has come of it but a breeding ground for the cycle of violence and new markets for the United States.
"New York Teens Sue Rumsfeld Over Recruiting Database" (Democracy Now!):
Six New York teenagers have sued Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld alleging that the Pentagon has illegally created a massive student database to help identify college and high school students as young as 16 to target for military recruiting. The database includes an array of personal information including birth dates, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade point averages, ethnicity and what subjects the students are studying. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the six teenagers by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
That's part of what it takes. These and other actions are the only thing that will check the administration. It's time to bring democracy back to the United States. (It never was "exported" to Iraq.) Read "On the Dangers of an Unchecked Bully Boy."
Condi's booing is necessary. It should happen everywhere. After she leaves the administration, if she avoids criminal charges, she should still be haunted the same way Henry Kissinger is (even though the mainstream media acts like it doesn't happen).
"Antonia Juhasz on The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time" (Democracy Now!):
AMY GOODMAN: In our next segment we're going to talk about the protest in this country, but I wanted to ask you about Henry Kissinger and his role in this.
ANTONIA JUHASZ: Well, Henry Kissinger is a fascinating character in all realms. He has been fascinating for me to follow, because in that chapter that you talked about, "Turning Toward Iraq," I look at U.S. business interests and how they aggressively pursued a greater U.S. relationship with Iraq.
Henry Kissinger founded Kissinger Associates the same year that Ronald Reagan opened up for first time economic relationships between the United States and Iraq. Reagan was the hottest pursuer, until George Bush, Sr. came onto the team and really pushed for better relationships was Saddam Hussein. But Kissinger and Associates was a lead advice --providing advice to multinational corporations on how to operate abroad, and one of the lead advocates of enhancing the U.S. economic relationship with Iraq.
Then, one of his managing directors, L. Paul Bremer, left Kissinger and Associates and went to found his own crisis management company, which essentially advised multinational corporations on how to operate under the horrible consequences of corporate globalization policies. He wrote a wonderful paper where he said, you know, the policies of corporate globalization create inequality, increase the cost of services, creates hostilities, so corporations, you really need to buy my insurance, because that's the only way to protect yourself against these policies. And then he went on and implemented those policies in Iraq.
But Kissinger aggressively lobbied, as well, for the second Iraq war and wrote some blistering op-eds, in particular, arguing for the need to invade. And I would imagine, although the records of Kissinger Associates are remarkably secret, that he is now working to help advance the interests of his companies.
But one of the things that has happened is that while U.S. companies have received billions of dollars for the reconstruction, the environment in Iraq is not safe. It’s not what the Bush administration had hoped for three years in, and so the companies are sort of waiting on the edges, just like the oil companies are waiting on the edges, to take advantage of this new economic environment. While they wait, however, the U.S. Middle East Free Trade Area advances, and that's where the trillions of dollars are already starting to flow.
Did you listen to yesterday's Cover to Cover? On KPFA Denny Smithson interviewed Jane Fonda. (I actually listened to alternate stream, I belive the mono, because I wanted to be sure the stream didn't fall out due to too many listeners -- the "yesterday's . . ." link takes you to an archived broadcast that you can listen to -- no cost, free of charge.) That was my first time listening and I was really impressed with Denny Smithson's style and his questions. You ended up with a real conversation and that's not always the case. (I'm not referring to Pacifica. I am referring to book tours.) I think if you've had a question, chances are it was covered. (Unless it was a film question, but there wasn't time for everything -- the show is a half-hour long. Though Fonda did note that she plans to make more films. As someone who enjoyed her performance in Monster-In-Law, that excites me. Since the film was a hit, I'll assume others are excited as well.) There's so much in her life to cover, so much that is inspiring. I think it was a wonderful interview (with credit for that going to Smithson and Fonda). It touched on Henry Fonda, the importance of self-esteem for young adults, her religious experience, the writing of the book and, most of all, activism.
Iraq was covered as well.
"Democracy Now! Antonia Juhasz, Nepal, The Peace Patriots; Maureen Farrell" (The Common Ills):
Iraq snapshot.
While Bully Boy uses current oil prices to push "the appearance of a gas shortage to push for the drilling" in ANWAR (as Sandra Lupien noted), chaos and violence continues in Iraq. Yesterday, in Baghdad, eight bombs went off and CNN puts the toll at "at least eight people died and 90 others were injured." Today? First, not a roadside bomb, but one inside a "minibus" exploded in Baghdad leading to at least two deaths and at least five wounded, according to Reuters. Also in Baghdad, the Associated Press notes that two more corpses have been found (with signs of torture). Reuters reports that Ibrahim al-Hindawi, "a senior judge in Baghdad," has been kidnapped by gunmen. Still in Baghdad, along with the bomb in the minibus, two roadsides bombs did go off -- at least three Iraqis were wounded. A "car bomb" in Baghdad resulted in at least four Iraqi police officers being wounded.
Police officers were targeted elsewhere as well. In Tal Qasir, four were killed during an attack on a police station, and "near Kirkuk," two Iraqi soldiers and a police officer were killed. Another Iraqi soldier was killed on "the main road between Tikrit and Kirkuk" -- the oil blaze, for those following (obviously the New York Times isn't).
At least three American soldiers were wounded when a roadside bobm went off in Haqlaniyah. And if you check the current tally, you'll see we're not that far away from another milestone: 2390 dead from the illegal 'cake walk.' This as Borzou Daraghi reports for the Los Angels Times that American ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad (the US ambassador to Iraq) has declared that America "must, perhaps reluctantly, accept" that US forces will continue to occupy Iraq for . . . "Long stay" is the the term that pops up in the headline. Permanent bases and the lust for the emerging markets would seem to indicate the need for a stronger term.
"Peace Quotes" (Cover to Cover with Denny Smithson, KPFA, 4-24-06):
It's never up to an administration . . . It all depends upon what people force them to do.
Jane Fonda
"Thousands Protest Condoleezza Rice in Greece" (Democracy Now!):
In Greece, thousands of demonstrators tried to march earlier today to the U.S. embassy in Athens to protest a visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Police dressed in riot gear fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators. On Monday, protesters managed to hoist a giant poster reading "Condoleezza Rice Go Home" from the central Athens Music Hall, next to the U.S. embassy. Two years ago Rice's predecessor Colin Powell had to cancel a visit to Athens in order to avoid mass protests.
Your actions will follow you around. Actions have consquences. It always amazes me that certain on the right scream (falsely) over and over that 'the liberals live in a consequences-free world.' That's false. But has this adminstration ever demonstrated that they grasp that actions have consequences?
The tone comes from above and all the fretting over oral sex (Cokie Roberts bemoaning what will we tell the children) was nonsense. You tell them about the facts of life or you tell them, "That's not an appropriate topic" (depending upon how you're raising them). But these actions do have consequences. Children grasp lying. That's very basic to growing up. So the Cokies would do well to (stealing from C.I.) clutch the pearls and cry, "How do we tell our children!"
The thing is, no one will have to. Everyone can grasp what a lie is.
"Report Criticizes U.S.-led Reconstruction of Iraq" (Democracy Now!):
A new report has determined the U.S.-led reconstruction of Iraq has largely been a failure. Nearly $60 billion has been spent but Iraq is still producing less oil, has less electricity and less water than before invasion. The authors of the report, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the slow pace is largely due to bad planning and poor execution on the part of the Bush administration.
Money to blow on a pipeline (that's now apparently a pipe dream) but nothing could be done to improve the water. Potable water is still not an issue for the administration (US). Electricity comes and goes. It's not up to pre-invasion level. Three years later, we've accomplished none of the "goals." But some souls say, "We have to continue the occupation! Think of the Iraqis!" Who's thinking of the Iraqis? It's time for them to have self-rule. The war's illegal, the occupation is illegal. Nothing has come of it but a breeding ground for the cycle of violence and new markets for the United States.
"New York Teens Sue Rumsfeld Over Recruiting Database" (Democracy Now!):
Six New York teenagers have sued Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld alleging that the Pentagon has illegally created a massive student database to help identify college and high school students as young as 16 to target for military recruiting. The database includes an array of personal information including birth dates, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade point averages, ethnicity and what subjects the students are studying. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the six teenagers by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
That's part of what it takes. These and other actions are the only thing that will check the administration. It's time to bring democracy back to the United States. (It never was "exported" to Iraq.) Read "On the Dangers of an Unchecked Bully Boy."
Condi's booing is necessary. It should happen everywhere. After she leaves the administration, if she avoids criminal charges, she should still be haunted the same way Henry Kissinger is (even though the mainstream media acts like it doesn't happen).
"Antonia Juhasz on The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time" (Democracy Now!):
AMY GOODMAN: In our next segment we're going to talk about the protest in this country, but I wanted to ask you about Henry Kissinger and his role in this.
ANTONIA JUHASZ: Well, Henry Kissinger is a fascinating character in all realms. He has been fascinating for me to follow, because in that chapter that you talked about, "Turning Toward Iraq," I look at U.S. business interests and how they aggressively pursued a greater U.S. relationship with Iraq.
Henry Kissinger founded Kissinger Associates the same year that Ronald Reagan opened up for first time economic relationships between the United States and Iraq. Reagan was the hottest pursuer, until George Bush, Sr. came onto the team and really pushed for better relationships was Saddam Hussein. But Kissinger and Associates was a lead advice --providing advice to multinational corporations on how to operate abroad, and one of the lead advocates of enhancing the U.S. economic relationship with Iraq.
Then, one of his managing directors, L. Paul Bremer, left Kissinger and Associates and went to found his own crisis management company, which essentially advised multinational corporations on how to operate under the horrible consequences of corporate globalization policies. He wrote a wonderful paper where he said, you know, the policies of corporate globalization create inequality, increase the cost of services, creates hostilities, so corporations, you really need to buy my insurance, because that's the only way to protect yourself against these policies. And then he went on and implemented those policies in Iraq.
But Kissinger aggressively lobbied, as well, for the second Iraq war and wrote some blistering op-eds, in particular, arguing for the need to invade. And I would imagine, although the records of Kissinger Associates are remarkably secret, that he is now working to help advance the interests of his companies.
But one of the things that has happened is that while U.S. companies have received billions of dollars for the reconstruction, the environment in Iraq is not safe. It’s not what the Bush administration had hoped for three years in, and so the companies are sort of waiting on the edges, just like the oil companies are waiting on the edges, to take advantage of this new economic environment. While they wait, however, the U.S. Middle East Free Trade Area advances, and that's where the trillions of dollars are already starting to flow.
Did you listen to yesterday's Cover to Cover? On KPFA Denny Smithson interviewed Jane Fonda. (I actually listened to alternate stream, I belive the mono, because I wanted to be sure the stream didn't fall out due to too many listeners -- the "yesterday's . . ." link takes you to an archived broadcast that you can listen to -- no cost, free of charge.) That was my first time listening and I was really impressed with Denny Smithson's style and his questions. You ended up with a real conversation and that's not always the case. (I'm not referring to Pacifica. I am referring to book tours.) I think if you've had a question, chances are it was covered. (Unless it was a film question, but there wasn't time for everything -- the show is a half-hour long. Though Fonda did note that she plans to make more films. As someone who enjoyed her performance in Monster-In-Law, that excites me. Since the film was a hit, I'll assume others are excited as well.) There's so much in her life to cover, so much that is inspiring. I think it was a wonderful interview (with credit for that going to Smithson and Fonda). It touched on Henry Fonda, the importance of self-esteem for young adults, her religious experience, the writing of the book and, most of all, activism.
Iraq was covered as well.
"Democracy Now! Antonia Juhasz, Nepal, The Peace Patriots; Maureen Farrell" (The Common Ills):
Iraq snapshot.
While Bully Boy uses current oil prices to push "the appearance of a gas shortage to push for the drilling" in ANWAR (as Sandra Lupien noted), chaos and violence continues in Iraq. Yesterday, in Baghdad, eight bombs went off and CNN puts the toll at "at least eight people died and 90 others were injured." Today? First, not a roadside bomb, but one inside a "minibus" exploded in Baghdad leading to at least two deaths and at least five wounded, according to Reuters. Also in Baghdad, the Associated Press notes that two more corpses have been found (with signs of torture). Reuters reports that Ibrahim al-Hindawi, "a senior judge in Baghdad," has been kidnapped by gunmen. Still in Baghdad, along with the bomb in the minibus, two roadsides bombs did go off -- at least three Iraqis were wounded. A "car bomb" in Baghdad resulted in at least four Iraqi police officers being wounded.
Police officers were targeted elsewhere as well. In Tal Qasir, four were killed during an attack on a police station, and "near Kirkuk," two Iraqi soldiers and a police officer were killed. Another Iraqi soldier was killed on "the main road between Tikrit and Kirkuk" -- the oil blaze, for those following (obviously the New York Times isn't).
At least three American soldiers were wounded when a roadside bobm went off in Haqlaniyah. And if you check the current tally, you'll see we're not that far away from another milestone: 2390 dead from the illegal 'cake walk.' This as Borzou Daraghi reports for the Los Angels Times that American ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad (the US ambassador to Iraq) has declared that America "must, perhaps reluctantly, accept" that US forces will continue to occupy Iraq for . . . "Long stay" is the the term that pops up in the headline. Permanent bases and the lust for the emerging markets would seem to indicate the need for a stronger term.
"Peace Quotes" (Cover to Cover with Denny Smithson, KPFA, 4-24-06):
It's never up to an administration . . . It all depends upon what people force them to do.
Jane Fonda
Monday, April 24, 2006
Longer version of "Quick post"
I was slicing a pear and sliced my finger. On a night when Blogger's going down. Now I've got less than 20 minutes to pull together a post and I've got seven working fingers. (Plus two thumbs. My eighth finger is attached and fine. I just can't press a key with it.) Please visit Mikey Likes It! for Mike's commentaries which I'm sure will be more informed than mine.
"Land Dispute on Mohawk Land in Ontario Intensifies" (Democracy Now!):
In Ontario, a standoff between Mohawks from the Six Nations Territory has entered its 56th day. On Thursday, Canadian police arrested 16 people in a pre-dawn raid. Over the weekend the Mohawks decided to maintain a blockade of a local highway and to keep occupying land that is being developed into a new housing subdivision. The Six Nations Confederacy has been called the oldest living participatory democracy on earth.
There are reports that the police have used tasers on these protestors. At a time when everyone's quite aware that tasers aren't the same as mace. (People have died from being tasered.) The protest itself started in February. The Six Nations Confederacy is made up of the following tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. They were awarded land, which is now at the heart of the dispute, by England for their support for the British during the American Revolutionary War. The Six Nations Confederacy is disputing a land grab made in 1841, land which a corporation now wants to build a housing complex on.
"Army Suicides Reach Highest Total Since 1993" (Democracy Now!):
In military news, the Pentagon has revealed 83 soldiers in the Army and National Guard committed suicide last year -- it marks the highest total since 1993.
The climate for these deaths was created from the top. When you have a Bully Boy living in denial (or at least pushing it), you have this huge gulf between reality and fantasy. When this gulf exists, the pressure added is even greater. One of my patients who is a vet and knows I do this site asked that I put in: "If you are a returning vet and you are suffering, do not tell yourself you'll get over it, tomorrow will be fine. Get help before it gets worse." I fully support his statement.
"Rumsfeld OKs Expansion of SpecialOps Forces Across Globe" (Democracy Now!):
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has approved plans to greatly expand the use of elite Special Operations forces to secretly take part in missions outside of war zones as part of the so-called war on terrorism. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon has already dispatched teams of Army Green Berets and other Special Operations troops to U.S. embassies in about 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The secret forces are instructed to carry out clandestine military activities including hunting down wanted individuals, gathering intelligence, attacking sites believed to be terrorist training camps and partnering with foreign militaries. The secret operations will be run off the books and largely free from Congressional oversight and legal restrictions imposed on the C.I.A.
This would be both extralegal and extrajudicial and one reason why Isaiah made a point to make Rumsfeld the focus of Sunday's The World Today Just Nuts comic.
"And I'm out of time. Let me add one thing and post" appeared around here in my first attempt. I went ahead and added to this when Rebecca called to say she got into her account (I wasn't able to get in for over an hour and gave up). I'll give this a different title and leave the original attempt up so no one thinks I'm attempting to act as though I got the post up on time.
"Democracy Now: Roger Toussaint, DN!, goes to a FEMA trailer park" (The Common Ills):
Iraq?
The Associated Press notes that on Sunday "at least three U.S. soldiers and 31 Iraqis were killed, including seven who died when mortars hit just outside the heavily guarded Green Zone." The Chicago Tribune reports that private contractors in Iraq have been confiscating passports from labor brought in (from outside Iraq) and that General George Casey has ordered that all passports must be returned by May 1st. Reuters notes that Iraqi firefighters are fighting "a large blaze" at an oil center between Kirkuk and Baiji. Australia's ABC notes that John Howard, that country's prime minister who is saying the illegal war is not "a disaster," stated today that the prospect of US troops was conditional (and didn't appear optimistic it would happen). Ian Bruce, with the UK Herald, reports that Carle Selman, James Cooke, Joseph McCleary and Martin McGing will stand trial (court martial) in Colchester, Essex for their actions in the death of Iraqi Ahmed Jabber Kareem. Seventeen-year-old Kareem was beaten along with three others and then ordered "into the Shatt al Basra waterway." Kareem, who could not swim, drowned. Bruce notes that an estimated 30 British soldiers "have either been convicted, are awaiting court-marital, or are being investigate" for their actions in Iraq. China's People's Daily Online reports that the costs of the (illegal) Iraq war are rising to one trillion in US dollars. Meanwhile, New York Daily News notes that costs for Iraq and Afghanistan will hit $117.9 billion and that the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is predicting the cost could reach 660 billion dollars by the year 2016.
In Tikrit, four Iraqi police officers were killed during a gun battle and two more were killed after the attack on the police station. In Mosul, Sandra Lupien noted, three corpses were found and
Al Jazeera notes that at least seven car bombs have gone off in Baghdad ("two of them at a Baghdad university"), CNN reports eight (a more recent report). The Los Angeles Times (going with the figure of seven) reports the death of at least 14 civilians and the wouding of at least 139 -- Sandra Lupien noted that the 139 included "a ten-year-old boy."
Seventeen corpses were found in Iraq today, the Associated Press reports. Sandra Lupien (a more recent report) noted at least 20 from secratarian violence with many, if not all, showing signs of torture.
Sandra Lupien does newsbreaks on KPFA in the early half of the day, including during one of Ruth's favorite programs: The Morning Show. Please note audio reports whenever one stands out -- not all members have the same abilities -- and Lupien has four news breaks in the now archived broadcast of The Morning Show, click on the links in the previous paragraphs and you'll be taken to today's two hour broadcast -- Lupien comes in on the hour and half hour. Lloyd has reminded me to add a radio show to the permalinks -- added last night. It's not showing up. But as I dictate this, nothing is showing up. Hopefully members are using the mirror site where this morning's entries (thanks to Jess) are up and VISIBLE.
And I missed the cut off. I'll keep this screen up and try in an hour or so (after I finish this note) to post it. I listened to Cat Radio on WBAI today because Ruth called when she read the roundtable ("About this edition") and said there are members who do write about that show and that Janet Coleman (the host) is very popular with members. She said she appreciates that everyone's trying to help but that I seemed to enjoy that show (I did) and should cover it whenever I was able to. It's one of the shows she listens to and always hopes to include but by the time she's writing, she always cuts it because there's something else to note. Cat Radio takes a look at the art world. I listened today and that's only the second time I've heard it but I do enjoy it. (The appointment at that hour has a cancellation issue so if that continues, I will be able to listen to it and note it, otherwise I will grab another show.) It's a hour long show that airs Monday's on WBAI -- at two o'clock in the afternoon (EST). The guest that stood out today, for me, was Wallace Shawn. He's putting on the current staging of The Threepenny Opera. Which Rebecca and Fly Boy saw Friday. I couldn't believe it. She calls me Saturday afternoon and is raving over the show. It's one of my favorites and she remembered that half-way into the conversation. She said she's sure Fly Boy is willing to see it again but if not, we can go together. It will be on a Friday due to my work schedule so heads up to the fact that one day this week or next, I won't be posting.
Depending on demand, Shawn said, there may or may not be a cast album. The production's just begun. So if you're able to see it, please do. Rebecca said that Cyndi Lauper plays Jenny but that they've given "Pirate Jenny" (a wonderful song) to the character Polly (Nellie McKay in this production). "Pirate Jenny" is one of the two most famous songs from the musical. It's been recorded by Judy Collins and Nina Simone among others and is a wonderful song. The other famous sound is "Mack the Knife." For most people that's the most famous song -- I'm speaking of people who haven't seen the play. I've only heard this song in the context of the play but I do know Bobby Darin had a huge hit with it. I may be the only person in the world who hasn't heard his hit song. (Kat told me on the phone that it was number one for nine weeks and that was in 1959.) But one of my favorite songs from The Threepenny Opera is "Solomon Song" -- which Rebecca says Cyndi Lauper does a fine job with in the play.
They spoke of Brecht, Coleman and Wallace, and what he's done differently (returned some of the original translation to the production). The new production sounds very interesting and Wallace has done the translation, he's not the director (that's Scott Elliott).
I should probably back up and explain that The Threepenny Opera was written in German (Die Dreigroschenoper) -- Janet Coleman spoke a phrase of German during the interview and did so quite well. It was first staged in 1928, I believe. Brecht wrote it with Kurt Weill (Weill is responsible for the music). Alan Cummings play the (lead) role of MacHeath in this version. Shawn was a wonderful guest and the interview made me hope that we're seeing it this weekend (it depends on whether Rebecca can swing tickets or not -- she thinks she can).
"Land Dispute on Mohawk Land in Ontario Intensifies" (Democracy Now!):
In Ontario, a standoff between Mohawks from the Six Nations Territory has entered its 56th day. On Thursday, Canadian police arrested 16 people in a pre-dawn raid. Over the weekend the Mohawks decided to maintain a blockade of a local highway and to keep occupying land that is being developed into a new housing subdivision. The Six Nations Confederacy has been called the oldest living participatory democracy on earth.
There are reports that the police have used tasers on these protestors. At a time when everyone's quite aware that tasers aren't the same as mace. (People have died from being tasered.) The protest itself started in February. The Six Nations Confederacy is made up of the following tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. They were awarded land, which is now at the heart of the dispute, by England for their support for the British during the American Revolutionary War. The Six Nations Confederacy is disputing a land grab made in 1841, land which a corporation now wants to build a housing complex on.
"Army Suicides Reach Highest Total Since 1993" (Democracy Now!):
In military news, the Pentagon has revealed 83 soldiers in the Army and National Guard committed suicide last year -- it marks the highest total since 1993.
The climate for these deaths was created from the top. When you have a Bully Boy living in denial (or at least pushing it), you have this huge gulf between reality and fantasy. When this gulf exists, the pressure added is even greater. One of my patients who is a vet and knows I do this site asked that I put in: "If you are a returning vet and you are suffering, do not tell yourself you'll get over it, tomorrow will be fine. Get help before it gets worse." I fully support his statement.
"Rumsfeld OKs Expansion of SpecialOps Forces Across Globe" (Democracy Now!):
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has approved plans to greatly expand the use of elite Special Operations forces to secretly take part in missions outside of war zones as part of the so-called war on terrorism. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon has already dispatched teams of Army Green Berets and other Special Operations troops to U.S. embassies in about 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The secret forces are instructed to carry out clandestine military activities including hunting down wanted individuals, gathering intelligence, attacking sites believed to be terrorist training camps and partnering with foreign militaries. The secret operations will be run off the books and largely free from Congressional oversight and legal restrictions imposed on the C.I.A.
This would be both extralegal and extrajudicial and one reason why Isaiah made a point to make Rumsfeld the focus of Sunday's The World Today Just Nuts comic.
"And I'm out of time. Let me add one thing and post" appeared around here in my first attempt. I went ahead and added to this when Rebecca called to say she got into her account (I wasn't able to get in for over an hour and gave up). I'll give this a different title and leave the original attempt up so no one thinks I'm attempting to act as though I got the post up on time.
"Democracy Now: Roger Toussaint, DN!, goes to a FEMA trailer park" (The Common Ills):
Iraq?
The Associated Press notes that on Sunday "at least three U.S. soldiers and 31 Iraqis were killed, including seven who died when mortars hit just outside the heavily guarded Green Zone." The Chicago Tribune reports that private contractors in Iraq have been confiscating passports from labor brought in (from outside Iraq) and that General George Casey has ordered that all passports must be returned by May 1st. Reuters notes that Iraqi firefighters are fighting "a large blaze" at an oil center between Kirkuk and Baiji. Australia's ABC notes that John Howard, that country's prime minister who is saying the illegal war is not "a disaster," stated today that the prospect of US troops was conditional (and didn't appear optimistic it would happen). Ian Bruce, with the UK Herald, reports that Carle Selman, James Cooke, Joseph McCleary and Martin McGing will stand trial (court martial) in Colchester, Essex for their actions in the death of Iraqi Ahmed Jabber Kareem. Seventeen-year-old Kareem was beaten along with three others and then ordered "into the Shatt al Basra waterway." Kareem, who could not swim, drowned. Bruce notes that an estimated 30 British soldiers "have either been convicted, are awaiting court-marital, or are being investigate" for their actions in Iraq. China's People's Daily Online reports that the costs of the (illegal) Iraq war are rising to one trillion in US dollars. Meanwhile, New York Daily News notes that costs for Iraq and Afghanistan will hit $117.9 billion and that the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is predicting the cost could reach 660 billion dollars by the year 2016.
In Tikrit, four Iraqi police officers were killed during a gun battle and two more were killed after the attack on the police station. In Mosul, Sandra Lupien noted, three corpses were found and
Al Jazeera notes that at least seven car bombs have gone off in Baghdad ("two of them at a Baghdad university"), CNN reports eight (a more recent report). The Los Angeles Times (going with the figure of seven) reports the death of at least 14 civilians and the wouding of at least 139 -- Sandra Lupien noted that the 139 included "a ten-year-old boy."
Seventeen corpses were found in Iraq today, the Associated Press reports. Sandra Lupien (a more recent report) noted at least 20 from secratarian violence with many, if not all, showing signs of torture.
Sandra Lupien does newsbreaks on KPFA in the early half of the day, including during one of Ruth's favorite programs: The Morning Show. Please note audio reports whenever one stands out -- not all members have the same abilities -- and Lupien has four news breaks in the now archived broadcast of The Morning Show, click on the links in the previous paragraphs and you'll be taken to today's two hour broadcast -- Lupien comes in on the hour and half hour. Lloyd has reminded me to add a radio show to the permalinks -- added last night. It's not showing up. But as I dictate this, nothing is showing up. Hopefully members are using the mirror site where this morning's entries (thanks to Jess) are up and VISIBLE.
And I missed the cut off. I'll keep this screen up and try in an hour or so (after I finish this note) to post it. I listened to Cat Radio on WBAI today because Ruth called when she read the roundtable ("About this edition") and said there are members who do write about that show and that Janet Coleman (the host) is very popular with members. She said she appreciates that everyone's trying to help but that I seemed to enjoy that show (I did) and should cover it whenever I was able to. It's one of the shows she listens to and always hopes to include but by the time she's writing, she always cuts it because there's something else to note. Cat Radio takes a look at the art world. I listened today and that's only the second time I've heard it but I do enjoy it. (The appointment at that hour has a cancellation issue so if that continues, I will be able to listen to it and note it, otherwise I will grab another show.) It's a hour long show that airs Monday's on WBAI -- at two o'clock in the afternoon (EST). The guest that stood out today, for me, was Wallace Shawn. He's putting on the current staging of The Threepenny Opera. Which Rebecca and Fly Boy saw Friday. I couldn't believe it. She calls me Saturday afternoon and is raving over the show. It's one of my favorites and she remembered that half-way into the conversation. She said she's sure Fly Boy is willing to see it again but if not, we can go together. It will be on a Friday due to my work schedule so heads up to the fact that one day this week or next, I won't be posting.
Depending on demand, Shawn said, there may or may not be a cast album. The production's just begun. So if you're able to see it, please do. Rebecca said that Cyndi Lauper plays Jenny but that they've given "Pirate Jenny" (a wonderful song) to the character Polly (Nellie McKay in this production). "Pirate Jenny" is one of the two most famous songs from the musical. It's been recorded by Judy Collins and Nina Simone among others and is a wonderful song. The other famous sound is "Mack the Knife." For most people that's the most famous song -- I'm speaking of people who haven't seen the play. I've only heard this song in the context of the play but I do know Bobby Darin had a huge hit with it. I may be the only person in the world who hasn't heard his hit song. (Kat told me on the phone that it was number one for nine weeks and that was in 1959.) But one of my favorite songs from The Threepenny Opera is "Solomon Song" -- which Rebecca says Cyndi Lauper does a fine job with in the play.
They spoke of Brecht, Coleman and Wallace, and what he's done differently (returned some of the original translation to the production). The new production sounds very interesting and Wallace has done the translation, he's not the director (that's Scott Elliott).
I should probably back up and explain that The Threepenny Opera was written in German (Die Dreigroschenoper) -- Janet Coleman spoke a phrase of German during the interview and did so quite well. It was first staged in 1928, I believe. Brecht wrote it with Kurt Weill (Weill is responsible for the music). Alan Cummings play the (lead) role of MacHeath in this version. Shawn was a wonderful guest and the interview made me hope that we're seeing it this weekend (it depends on whether Rebecca can swing tickets or not -- she thinks she can).
Quick post
I was slicing a pear and sliced my finger. On a night when Blogger's going down. Now I've got less than 20 minutes to pull together a post and I've got seven working fingers. (Plus two thumbs. My eighth finger is attached and fine. I just can't press a key with it.) Please visit Mikey Likes It! for Mike's commentaries which I'm sure will be more informed than mine.
"Land Dispute on Mohawk Land in Ontario Intensifies" (Democracy Now!):
In Ontario, a standoff between Mohawks from the Six Nations Territory has entered its 56th day. On Thursday, Canadian police arrested 16 people in a pre-dawn raid. Over the weekend the Mohawks decided to maintain a blockade of a local highway and to keep occupying land that is being developed into a new housing subdivision. The Six Nations Confederacy has been called the oldest living participatory democracy on earth.
They have used tasers on these protestors. At a time when everyone's quite aware that tasers aren't the same as mace. (People have died from being tasered.)
"Army Suicides Reach Highest Total Since 1993" (Democracy Now!):
In military news, the Pentagon has revealed 83 soldiers in the Army and National Guard committed suicide last year -- it marks the highest total since 1993.
The climate for these deaths was created from the top. When you have a Bully Boy living in denial (or at least pushing it), you have this huge gulf between reality and fantasy. When this gulf exists, the pressure added is even greater. One of my patients who is a vet and knows I do this site asked that I put in: "If you are a returning vet and you are suffering, do not tell yourself you'll get over it, tomorrow will be fine. Get help before it gets worse." I fully support his statement.
"Rumsfeld OKs Expansion of SpecialOps Forces Across Globe" (Democracy Now!):
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has approved plans to greatly expand the use of elite Special Operations forces to secretly take part in missions outside of war zones as part of the so-called war on terrorism. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon has already dispatched teams of Army Green Berets and other Special Operations troops to U.S. embassies in about 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The secret forces are instructed to carry out clandestine military activities including hunting down wanted individuals, gathering intelligence, attacking sites believed to be terrorist training camps and partnering with foreign militaries. The secret operations will be run off the books and largely free from Congressional oversight and legal restrictions imposed on the C.I.A.
And I'm out of time. Let me add one thing and post.
"Democracy Now: Roger Toussaint, DN!, goes to a FEMA trailer park" (The Common Ills):
Iraq?
The Associated Press notes that on Sunday "at least three U.S. soldiers and 31 Iraqis were killed, including seven who died when mortars hit just outside the heavily guarded Green Zone." The Chicago Tribune reports that private contractors in Iraq have been confiscating passports from labor brought in (from outside Iraq) and that General George Casey has ordered that all passports must be returned by May 1st. Reuters notes that Iraqi firefighters are fighting "a large blaze" at an oil center between Kirkuk and Baiji. Australia's ABC notes that John Howard, that country's prime minister who is saying the illegal war is not "a disaster," stated today that the prospect of US troops was conditional (and didn't appear optimistic it would happen). Ian Bruce, with the UK Herald, reports that Carle Selman, James Cooke, Joseph McCleary and Martin McGing will stand trial (court martial) in Colchester, Essex for their actions in the death of Iraqi Ahmed Jabber Kareem. Seventeen-year-old Kareem was beaten along with three others and then ordered "into the Shatt al Basra waterway." Kareem, who could not swim, drowned. Bruce notes that an estimated 30 British soldiers "have either been convicted, are awaiting court-marital, or are being investigate" for their actions in Iraq. China's People's Daily Online reports that the costs of the (illegal) Iraq war are rising to one trillion in US dollars. Meanwhile, New York Daily News notes that costs for Iraq and Afghanistan will hit $117.9 billion and that the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is predicting the cost could reach 660 billion dollars by the year 2016.
In Tikrit, four Iraqi police officers were killed during a gun battle and two more were killed after the attack on the police station. In Mosul, Sandra Lupien noted, three corpses were found and
Al Jazeera notes that at least seven car bombs have gone off in Baghdad ("two of them at a Baghdad university"), CNN reports eight (a more recent report). The Los Angeles Times (going with the figure of seven) reports the death of at least 14 civilians and the wouding of at least 139 -- Sandra Lupien noted that the 139 included "a ten-year-old boy."
Seventeen corpses were found in Iraq today, the Associated Press reports. Sandra Lupien (a more recent report) noted at least 20 from secratarian violence with many, if not all, showing signs of torture.
Sandra Lupien does newsbreaks on KPFA in the early half of the day, including during one of Ruth's favorite programs: The Morning Show. Please note audio reports whenever one stands out -- not all members have the same abilities -- and Lupien has four news breaks in the now archived broadcast of The Morning Show, click on the links in the previous paragraphs and you'll be taken to today's two hour broadcast -- Lupien comes in on the hour and half hour. Lloyd has reminded me to add a radio show to the permalinks -- added last night. It's not showing up. But as I dictate this, nothing is showing up. Hopefully members are using the mirror site where this morning's entries (thanks to Jess) are up and VISIBLE.
"Land Dispute on Mohawk Land in Ontario Intensifies" (Democracy Now!):
In Ontario, a standoff between Mohawks from the Six Nations Territory has entered its 56th day. On Thursday, Canadian police arrested 16 people in a pre-dawn raid. Over the weekend the Mohawks decided to maintain a blockade of a local highway and to keep occupying land that is being developed into a new housing subdivision. The Six Nations Confederacy has been called the oldest living participatory democracy on earth.
They have used tasers on these protestors. At a time when everyone's quite aware that tasers aren't the same as mace. (People have died from being tasered.)
"Army Suicides Reach Highest Total Since 1993" (Democracy Now!):
In military news, the Pentagon has revealed 83 soldiers in the Army and National Guard committed suicide last year -- it marks the highest total since 1993.
The climate for these deaths was created from the top. When you have a Bully Boy living in denial (or at least pushing it), you have this huge gulf between reality and fantasy. When this gulf exists, the pressure added is even greater. One of my patients who is a vet and knows I do this site asked that I put in: "If you are a returning vet and you are suffering, do not tell yourself you'll get over it, tomorrow will be fine. Get help before it gets worse." I fully support his statement.
"Rumsfeld OKs Expansion of SpecialOps Forces Across Globe" (Democracy Now!):
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has approved plans to greatly expand the use of elite Special Operations forces to secretly take part in missions outside of war zones as part of the so-called war on terrorism. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon has already dispatched teams of Army Green Berets and other Special Operations troops to U.S. embassies in about 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The secret forces are instructed to carry out clandestine military activities including hunting down wanted individuals, gathering intelligence, attacking sites believed to be terrorist training camps and partnering with foreign militaries. The secret operations will be run off the books and largely free from Congressional oversight and legal restrictions imposed on the C.I.A.
And I'm out of time. Let me add one thing and post.
"Democracy Now: Roger Toussaint, DN!, goes to a FEMA trailer park" (The Common Ills):
Iraq?
The Associated Press notes that on Sunday "at least three U.S. soldiers and 31 Iraqis were killed, including seven who died when mortars hit just outside the heavily guarded Green Zone." The Chicago Tribune reports that private contractors in Iraq have been confiscating passports from labor brought in (from outside Iraq) and that General George Casey has ordered that all passports must be returned by May 1st. Reuters notes that Iraqi firefighters are fighting "a large blaze" at an oil center between Kirkuk and Baiji. Australia's ABC notes that John Howard, that country's prime minister who is saying the illegal war is not "a disaster," stated today that the prospect of US troops was conditional (and didn't appear optimistic it would happen). Ian Bruce, with the UK Herald, reports that Carle Selman, James Cooke, Joseph McCleary and Martin McGing will stand trial (court martial) in Colchester, Essex for their actions in the death of Iraqi Ahmed Jabber Kareem. Seventeen-year-old Kareem was beaten along with three others and then ordered "into the Shatt al Basra waterway." Kareem, who could not swim, drowned. Bruce notes that an estimated 30 British soldiers "have either been convicted, are awaiting court-marital, or are being investigate" for their actions in Iraq. China's People's Daily Online reports that the costs of the (illegal) Iraq war are rising to one trillion in US dollars. Meanwhile, New York Daily News notes that costs for Iraq and Afghanistan will hit $117.9 billion and that the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is predicting the cost could reach 660 billion dollars by the year 2016.
In Tikrit, four Iraqi police officers were killed during a gun battle and two more were killed after the attack on the police station. In Mosul, Sandra Lupien noted, three corpses were found and
Al Jazeera notes that at least seven car bombs have gone off in Baghdad ("two of them at a Baghdad university"), CNN reports eight (a more recent report). The Los Angeles Times (going with the figure of seven) reports the death of at least 14 civilians and the wouding of at least 139 -- Sandra Lupien noted that the 139 included "a ten-year-old boy."
Seventeen corpses were found in Iraq today, the Associated Press reports. Sandra Lupien (a more recent report) noted at least 20 from secratarian violence with many, if not all, showing signs of torture.
Sandra Lupien does newsbreaks on KPFA in the early half of the day, including during one of Ruth's favorite programs: The Morning Show. Please note audio reports whenever one stands out -- not all members have the same abilities -- and Lupien has four news breaks in the now archived broadcast of The Morning Show, click on the links in the previous paragraphs and you'll be taken to today's two hour broadcast -- Lupien comes in on the hour and half hour. Lloyd has reminded me to add a radio show to the permalinks -- added last night. It's not showing up. But as I dictate this, nothing is showing up. Hopefully members are using the mirror site where this morning's entries (thanks to Jess) are up and VISIBLE.
Jane Fonda, Monday, on KPFA's Cover to Cover with Denny Smithson
Jane Fonda. Activist, actress, producer, mother, you name it. It's been quite a life. (The drawing was done by Isaiah, by the way.) If you're a fan like I am, you'll want to know that she's on the radio Monday.
"Monday: Jane Fonda on KPFA's Cover to Cover with Denny Smithson" (The Third Estate Sunday Review):
The one and only Jane Fonda. We're fond o' Fonda. And Monday on KPFA she's the scheduled guest for Cover to Cover with Denny Smithson. Fonda wasn't afraid to come out against the war. And last spring, when she spoke out on David Letterman's show, she was greeted with applause.
Last week, it was suddenly NEWS! that she felt Cindy Sheehan was more effective as a speaker against the war than she was. (We love Cindy Sheehan, but we'd line up for hours to hear Fonda speak.) She said it on Good Morning America! It was NEWS!
But, a point we make in our roundtable posted later, it wasn't, in fact, NEWS!
Maybe it was news when she said it to Robin Morgan in the interview Ms. magazine ran in their Winter 2006 issue? But for that to happen, people would have to pay attention to alternative media and we don't think it's getting its due. From "Jane Fonda Talks Sex, Politics, & Religion with Robin Morgan" (page 38):
JF: You know, nobody's asked me to speak about war for over 15 years. I carry too much baggage from Vietnam. Recently I was feeling, "I can't be silent anymore. I'm going to go on tour." I did anti-war tours around the U.S. every year during the 70s, they were amazing. But then, Cindy Sheehan surfaced! I thought, "I don't need to tour, she's the appropriate one!"
OMG! It's just what you heard on Good Morning America last week! But you heard it in Ms. magazine first. If you paid attention. Support your independent media. One way is to listen Monday to:
Cover to Cover with Denny Smithson
One of the most recognizable women of our time, America knows Jane Fonda as actress, activist, feminist, wife, and workout guru. In her extraordinary memoir, Fonda divides her life into three acts: her childhood, early films, and first marriage make up act one; her growing career in film, marriage to Ted Turner, and involvement in the Vietnam War belong to act two; and the third act belongs to the future, in which she hopes to "begin living consciously," and inspire others who can learn from her experiences. Fonda reveals intimate details and universal truths that she hopes "can provide a lens through which others can see their lives and how they can live them a little differently."
It airs on KPFA at 6:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Central, 4:00 pm Mountain and 3:00 Pacific. You can listen online, for free, or you can listen over the airwaves in the Berkeley area on KPFA (94.1 FM) and probably on KPFB (89.3 FM) in Berkeley as well as KFCF (88.1 FM) in Fresno.